Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), Serum Glutamate-pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), SGPT (Serum Glutamate-pyruvate Transaminase)

Why It Is Done

The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is done to:

• Identify liver disease, especially cirrhosis and hepatitis caused by alcohol, drugs, or viruses.
• Help check for liver damage.
• Find out whether jaundice was caused by a blood disorder or liver disease.
• Keep track of the effects of cholesterol-lowering medicines and other medicines that can damage the liver.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: January 2, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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